H.R. 8870
BUILD America 250 Act
Sponsor: Sam Graves
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America's 250th Act or the BUILD America 250 Act
This bill authorizes federal surface transportation (highway, public transportation, and rail) programs and activities through FY2031. The bill also establishes or modifies Department of Transportation (DOT) programs and policies that are a part of the federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier, research, hazardous materials, and rail programs.
For example, the bill authorizes appropriations through FY2031 out of the Highway Trust Fund for the federal-aid highway program, the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, highway safety programs, and bridge programs. The bill also authorizes funding through FY2031 for Amtrak. Current authorization for these programs expires on September 30, 2026.
Among other provisions, the bill
- establishes a Surface Transportation Accelerator Grant (STAG) discretionary program to fund surface transportation projects in rural, urban, local, and regional communities;
- requires the Federal Highway Administration to impose a new annual electric vehicle (EV) registration fee, starting at $130 for a covered EV and $35 for a covered plug-in hybrid vehicle;
- exempts automated driving system technology and equipment from vehicle width requirements;
- establishes a consolidated state block grant program that allows DOT to allocate a lump sum to participating states to fund public transportation services in rural and urbanized areas;
- allows state rail safety inspectors to conduct railroad bridge inspections; and
- establishes a system for state, local, and tribal governments to report safety concerns about the condition of railroad bridges.
Text of the bill
I Federal-Aid Highways
A Authorizations and Programs
B Improved Project Delivery and Environmental Streamlining
C Miscellaneous
II Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
III Public Transportation
A Reforms
B Miscellaneous
C Reorganization and Consolidation of Chapter 53
(a) In general. Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this section an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision of chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, the reference shall be considered to be made to chapter 53 of such title, as amended by section 3202 of this Act.
(b) General amendment to section 5303. Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5302 the following:
5303. Authorizations.
(a) Grants
(1) In general. There shall be available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out sections 5305, 5307, and 5310 through 5320—
(A) $16,868,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(B) $17,205,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(C) $17,527,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(D) $17,835,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(E) $18,157,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(2) Allocation of funds. Of the amounts made available to the Secretary under paragraph (1), the following allocations apply:
(A) Administrative provisions. To carry out section 5305—
(i) $132,700,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $135,400,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $138,100,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $140,800,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $143,600,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(B) Urbanized area grants. To carry out, in accordance with the formulas set for forth in section 5304, section 5307—
(i) $7,745,474,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $7,869,922,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $7,996,361,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $8,124,823,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $8,255,340,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(C) Grants for enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. To carry out section 5310—
(i) $447,300,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which $10,000,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(ii) $453,100,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which $10,100,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(iii) $459,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which $10,200,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(iv) $465,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which $10,300,000 is to carry out section 5310(j); and
(v) $471,000,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which $10,400,000 is to carry out section 5310(j).
(D) Rural area grants. To carry out section 5311—
(i) $1,007,622,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $1,023,742,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $1,040,122,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $1,056,764,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $1,073,672,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(E) Public transportation innovation. To carry out section 5312—
(i) $45,240,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which—
(I) $5,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,371,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(ii) $45,960,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which—
(I) $4,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,489,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(iii) $46,700,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which—
(I) $3,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,609,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(iv) $47,440,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which—
(I) $2,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,731,000 to carry out section 5312(i); and
(v) $48,200,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which—
(I) $0 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,854,000 to carry out section 5312(i).
(F) Planning programs. To carry out section 5313—
(i) $222,930,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which $15,000,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(ii) $225,820,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which $15,200,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(iii) $228,760,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which $15,400,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(iv) $231,730,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which $15,600,000 is to carry out section 5305(i); and
(v) $234,750,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which $15,800,000 is to carry out section 5305(i).
(G) Technical assistance and workforce development. To carry out section 5314—
(i) $20,499,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $20,806,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $21,118,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $21,434,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $21,756,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(H) National transit database. To carry out section 5315—
(i) $6,235,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $6,335,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $6,436,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $6,539,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $6,644,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(I) State of good repair grants. To carry out section 5316—
(i) $4,640,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $4,645,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $4,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $4,655,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $4,660,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(J) Grants for bus and bus facilities. To carry out section 5317 (except for subsection (d))—
(i) $1,695,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $1,863,710,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $2,014,891,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $2,149,550,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $2,295,508,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(K) Bus testing facility. To carry out section 5318—
(i) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $7,105,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $7,212,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $7,320,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $7,430,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(L) Growing States and high density States. To carry out section 5319—
(i) $873,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which—
(I) $445,230,000 to carry out section 5319(b); and
(II) $427,770,000 to carry out section 5319(c);
(ii) $883,100,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which—
(I) $450,381,000 to carry out section 5319(b); and
(II) $432,719,000 to carry out section 5319(c);
(iii) $893,300,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which—
(I) $455,583,000 to carry out section 5319(b); and
(II) $437,717,000 to carry out section 5319(c);
(iv) $903,600,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which—
(I) $460,836,000 to carry out section 5319(b); and
(II) $442,764,000 to carry out section 5319(c); and
(v) $914,100,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which—
(I) $466,191,000 to carry out section 5319(b); and
(II) $447,909,000 to carry out section 5319(c).
(M) Emergency relief program. To carry out section 5320—
(i) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(b) Capital investment grants. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 5309 of this title—
(1) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(2) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(3) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(4) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(5) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(c) Oversight
(1) In general. Of the amounts made available under subsection (a)(1) to carry out a financial assistance program or a grant program referenced in subsection (a)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 0.7 percent of such amount in such fiscal year to conduct oversight activities for each respective program and for sections 5308 and 5329, including the activities described in paragraph (3).
(2) Additional oversight
(A) CIG program. Of the amounts made available under subsection (b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of such amount in such fiscal year to conduct oversight activities for the fixed guideway capital investment grants program, including activities described in paragraph (3).
(B) Other. Of the amounts made available under Section 601(f) of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432; 122 Stat. 4970), the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent in a given fiscal year to conduct oversight activities, including the activities described in paragraph (3).
(3) Activities. The activities described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Activities to oversee the construction of a major capital project.
(B) Activities to review and audit the safety and security, procurement, management, and financial compliance of a recipient or subrecipient of funds under this chapter.
(C) Activities to provide technical assistance generally, and to provide technical assistance to correct deficiencies identified in compliance reviews and audits carried out under this section.
(D) Activities to carry out section 5305.
(4) Government share of costs. The Government shall pay the entire cost of carrying out a contract under this subsection.
(5) Availability of certain funds. Funds made available under paragraph (2) to conduct oversight activities related to the fixed guideway capital investment grants program shall be made available to the Secretary before allocating the funds appropriated to carry out any project under a full funding grant agreement.
(d) Grants as contractual obligations
(1) Grants financed from highway trust fund. A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project.
(2) Grants financed from general fund. A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts appropriated in advance from the General Fund of the Treasury pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project only to the extent that amounts are appropriated for such purpose by an Act of Congress.
(e) Availability of amounts. Amounts made available by or appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.
(c) Technical amendments. Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in section 5302—
(A) in paragraph (5)(N) by striking 5339(c) and inserting 5317(e);
(B) in paragraph (6)(A)—
(i) by striking 5303 and 5304 and inserting 5331 and 5332; and
(ii) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(C) in paragraph (8)(A) by striking 5334(c) and inserting 5305(c);
(2) in section 5304—
(A) in subsection (b)(2)(E) by striking 5337(b)(3) and inserting 5316(b)(3);
(B) in subsection (d)(1) by striking 5338(a)(2)(B) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(B); and
(C) in subsection (h)—
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 5338(a)(2)(B) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(B);
(ii) in paragraph (1)—
(I) by striking 5339(d) and inserting 5317(d); and
(II) by striking 5339(d)(2)(A) and inserting 5317(d)(2)(A); and
(iii) in paragraph (5) by striking 5329(e)(6) and inserting 5352(e)(6);
(3) in section 5305—
(A) in subsection (b)(1) by striking 5329 and inserting 5352; and
(B) in subsection (l)—
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking general purposes of this chapter under section 5301(b) and inserting purpose of this chapter described in section 5301(a); and
(ii) in paragraph (4)(B) by striking 5306(a) and inserting 5306(y)(1);
(4) in section 5306—
(A) in subsection (a)(1)(A) by striking sections 5303, 5304, and 5306 and inserting section 5331, section 5332, and subsection (y) of this section;
(B) in subsection (e)—
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking 5337 and inserting 5316; and
(ii) in paragraph (2) by striking 5304 and inserting 5332;
(C) in subsection (i)(1)(A)—
(i) by striking 5339(e)(2) and inserting 5317(e)(2); and
(ii) by striking 5339 of this chapter and inserting 5317 of this chapter;
(D) in subsection (n) by striking 5336(d)(2) and inserting 5304(d)(2);
(E) in subsection (o) by striking 5337 and inserting 5316;
(F) in subsection (t)(2) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304;
(G) in subsection (u)(4)(A) by striking 5337 and inserting 5316;
(H) in subsection (v)(3)(B) by striking 5329 and inserting 5352;
(I) in subsection (w)(6)—
(i) by striking (49 U.S.C. 5325 note) each place it appears; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) by striking 5325(f)(3) and inserting 5306(z)(6)(C);
(J) in subsection (y)—
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking 5303, 5304, or 5305 and inserting 5313, 5331, or 5332; and
(ii) in paragraph (2) by striking 5303–5305 and inserting 5313, 5331, and 5332; and
(K) in subsection (aa)—
(i) in paragraph (3) by striking 5338(f) and inserting 5303(c); and
(ii) in paragraph (4)(A) by striking 5338(c) and inserting 5303(c);
(5) in section 5307—
(A) in subsection (b)(4) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304;
(B) in subsection (c)(1)—
(i) in subparagraph (E) by striking 5323 and 5325 and inserting 5306 and 5306(z);
(ii) in subparagraph (H) by striking 5303 and 5304 and inserting 5331 and 5332;
(iii) in subparagraph (J)—
(I) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(II) by striking 5321 and inserting 5351;
(iv) in subparagraph (K) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(v) in subparagraph (L) by striking 5329(d) and inserting 5352(d);
(C) in subsection (e)(2)(A) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(D) in subsection (f)(4)(A)(ii)(II) by striking 5303, 5304, and 5305 and inserting 5313, 5331, and 5332;
(6) in section 5308—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) by striking 5338(a)(2) and inserting 5303(a)(2); and
(ii) by striking 5310, 5311(c)(5), 5336, 5337, 5339(a), and 5340 and inserting 5304, 5310, 5311(c)(5), 5316, 5317(a), and 5319;
(B) in subsection (b)(2)(D)(ii) by striking 5337, 5339(a), and 5340 and inserting 5316, 5317(a), and 5319;
(C) in subsection (d)(2) by striking 5337, 5339, or 5340 and inserting 5316, 5317, or 5319;
(D) in subsection (e)—
(i) paragraph (11)(B) by striking 5339(c)(5) and inserting 5317(e)(5); and
(ii) paragraph (12) by striking 5337, 5339(a), and 5340 and inserting 5316, 5317(a), and 5319; and
(E) in subsection (i)(3) by striking 5323(i) and inserting 5306(i);
(7) in section 5309—
(A) in subsection (c)(1)—
(i) in subparagraph (A) by striking 5303 and 5304 and inserting 5331 and 5332; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by striking 5326(b)(2)(A) and inserting 5354(b)(2)(A);
(B) in subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii) by striking 5303 and inserting 5331;
(C) in subsection (e)(2)(A)(ii) by striking 5303 and inserting 5331;
(D) in subsection (g)(5)(C) by striking 5334(k) and inserting 5305(k);
(E) in subsection (h)(3)(A) by striking 5303 and inserting 5331;
(F) in subsection (i) by striking 5303(i) in each place it occurs and inserting 5331(i);
(G) in subsection (s)(1) by striking 5325 and inserting 5306(z); and
(H) in subsection (u)—
(i) in paragraph (3)(A)—
(I) in clause (i) by striking 5303 and 5304 and inserting 5331 and 5332; and
(II) in clause (iii) by striking 5306(a) and inserting 5306(y)(1); and
(ii) in paragraph (12)—
(I) in subparagraph (B) by striking 5306(a) and inserting 5306(y)(1); and
(II) in subparagraph (C) by striking 5303 and 5304 and inserting 5331 and 5332;
(8) in section 5311—
(A) in subsection (b)—
(i) in paragraph (1)(A) by striking 5305 and inserting 5313; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)(B) by striking 5338(a)(2)(D) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(D); and
(B) in subsection (c)—
(i) in paragraph (1)—
(I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking 5338(a)(2)(D) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(D); and
(II) in subparagraph (D)—
(aa) by striking 5339(d) and inserting 5317(d); and
(bb) by striking 5339(d)(2)(B) and inserting 5317(d)(2)(B); and
(ii) in paragraph (3)(C) by striking 5338(a)(2)(D) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(D); and
(iii) in paragraph (5)(A) by striking 5338(a)(2)(D) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(D);
(9) in section 5312(i)(1) by striking The amounts made available under section 5338(a)(2)(G)(ii) and inserting The amounts specified under 5303(a)(2)(E) for this subsection;
(10) in section 5313—
(A) in subsection (b)—
(i) by striking 5338 and inserting 5303; and
(ii) by striking 5303, 5304, and 5306 and inserting 5331, 5332, and 5306(y);
(B) in subsection (c) by striking 5303 and 5306 in each place it occurs and inserting 5331 and 5306(y);
(C) in subsection (d)(1)(A) by striking 5304 and 5306 and inserting 5332 and 5306(y);
(D) in subsection (f) by striking 5338(a)(2)(A) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(F); and
(E) in subsection (h)(1) by striking 5303, 5304 and inserting 5331, 5332;
(11) in section 5314—
(A) in subsection (a)(1)(B)—
(i) in clause (vii) by striking 5323(j) and 5323(m) and inserting 5306(j) and 5306(m); and
(ii) in clause (viii) by striking 5339(c)(1) and inserting 5317(e)(5);
(B) in subsection (c)(4)(A) by striking 5337, and 5339 and inserting 5316, and 5317; and
(C) in subsection (d) by striking 5338(a)(2)(F) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(G);
(12) in section 5316—
(A) in subsection (b)—
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking 5338(a)(2)(K) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(I); and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B) by striking 5336(b)(1) and inserting 5304(b)(1); and
(B) in subsection (c)(2) by striking 5338(a)(2)(K) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(I);
(13) in section 5317—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) in paragraph (4)—
(I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking 5338(a)(2)(L) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(J); and
(II) in subparagraph (C)—
(aa) in clause (i) by striking 5336(c)(1)(A) and inserting 5304(c)(1)(A);
(bb) in clause (ii) by striking 5336(c)(1)(B) and inserting 5304(c)(1)(B); and
(cc) in clause (iii) by striking 5336(a)(1) and inserting 5304(a)(1);
(ii) in paragraph (5) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(iii) in paragraph (8) by striking (49 U.S.C. 5325 note);
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) in paragraph (5)(B) by striking 5323(i) and inserting 5306(i);
(ii) in paragraph (9)(B) by striking 5325 and inserting 5306(z); and
(iii) in paragraph (10) by striking (49 U.S.C. 5325 note); and
(C) in subsection (d)—
(i) in paragraph (2)(A) by striking 5336(h)(1) and inserting 5304(h)(1); and
(ii) in paragraph (6)(C)(i) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304;
(14) in section 5318(e)(1)(B)(ii) by striking 5329(b) and inserting 5352(b);
(15) in section 5319—
(A) in subsection (a) by striking 5338(a)(2)(M) and inserting 5303(a)(2)(L);
(B) in subsection (b)(3) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304; and
(C) in subsection (c)(5) by striking 5336 and inserting 5304;
(16) in section 5331—
(A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking 5304(d) and inserting 5332(d);
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 5304 and inserting 5332; and
(ii) in paragraph (6) by striking 5304(l) and inserting 5332(l);
(C) in subsection (h)(2)(B)(ii) by striking 5326(c) and 5329(d) and inserting 5352(d) and 5354(b);
(D) in subsection (p) by striking 5305(g) and inserting 5313(f); and
(E) in subsection (s) by striking 5305(f) and inserting 5313(f); and
(17) in section 5332—
(A) in subsection (a)—
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking 5303, to accomplish the objectives stated in section 5303(a), and inserting 5331, to accomplish the objectives stated in 5331(a),; and
(ii) in paragraph (3) by striking 5303(a) and inserting 5331(a);
(B) in subsection (b)(1) by striking 5303 and inserting 5331;
(C) in subsection (d)(2)(B)(ii) by striking 5326(c) and 5329(d) and inserting 5352(d) and 5354(b);
(D) in subsection (f)(2)(A) by striking 5303 and inserting 5331;
(E) in subsection (g) by striking 5303 in each place it appears and inserting 5331; and
(F) in subsection (i) by striking 5303 each place it appears and inserting 5331; and
(18) in section 5333(b) by striking 5307–5312, 5316, 5318, 5323(a)(1), 5323(b), 5323(d), 5328, 5337, and 5338(b) each place it appears and inserting 5306(a)(1), 5306(b), 5306(d), 5307, 5308, 5309, 5310, 5311, 5312, 5316, and 5318;
(19) in section 5352—
(A) in subsection (b)(2)(D) by striking 5324(a) and inserting 5320(a);
(B) in subsection (d) by striking 5335 in each place it occurs and inserting 5315;
(C) in subsection (e)(6)(B)(i) by striking 5336(h) and inserting 5304(h); and
(D) in subsection (h)(1) by striking 5334(c) and inserting 5305(c).
IV Highway Safety
V Motor Carriers
A General Provisions
B Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
C Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
D Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Reform
E Safe Integration of Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicles
VI Innovation
VII Freight and Multimodal Transportation Programs
A Freight Policy
B Multimodal Policy and Programs
VIII Miscellaneous
IX Sport Fishing and Recreational Boating Safety
X Railroads and Hazardous Materials
A Authorization of Appropriations and Grant Reforms
B Amtrak Reforms
C Passenger Rail Policy
D Rail Safety and Innovation
E Project Delivery
F Hazardous Materials Transportation